Underreamer with an hydraulic trigger



M y 1931. J. B. TRIPLETT 1,804,850

UNDERREAMER WITH AN HYDRAULIC TRIGGER Filed Oct. 18, 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 g F,Z

Wig/70R J /vis B. TR/PLETT HTTORN y 12, 1931- J. B. TRIPLETT 1,804,850

UNDERREAMER WITH AN HYDRAULIC TRIGGER Patented May 12, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE JAMES B. TRIPLETT, OF WHITIIER, CALIFORNIA; WILLIAM H. CAMPBELL, F LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, AND WILLIAM H. MAXWELL, OF BEVERLY HILLS, CALI- FORNIA, EXECUT'ORS OF SAID JAMES B. TRIPLETT, DECEASED, ASSIGNORS TO J GEN GRANT, OF LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA UNDERREAMER WITH AN HYDRAULIC TRIGGER Application filed October 18, 1926. Serial No. 14,12,277.

My present invention, which may be regarded as an improvement upon the reamers described in my c'opending patent applications, Serial No. 632,295, filed April 16th,

1923 and Serial No. 107 ,999, filed May 10,

' proved lateral cutters and supporting means therefor.

Other objects of my invention, all forms of which contemplate the utilization of a circulating fluid to release energy stored in a spring or the like, for an expanding effect (said spring being protected from accidental damage) may be best appreciated from the following description of an illustrative embodiment of said invention, taken in connection with the appended claims and the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 may be referred to as a median longitudinal section, taken in a vertical plane and showing expansible cutters as occupying an inner position, appropriate to lowering of the same through a casing into a well,a trigger being shown as set and parts being broken away. 7

Figure 2 is a sectional view similar to Figure 1, but showing a trigger as disengaged, with a consequent expansion of lateral cutters.

Figure 3 is a horizontal sectional view taken substantially as indicated by line 3-3 of Figure 1.

Figure 45 is a detail perspective view of a trigger element such as is also disclosed centrally of Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a horizontal sectional View, comparable with Figure 3 and taken substantially as indicated by line 5+5 of Figure 1.

Figure 6 is a detail perspective view, showlng one advantageous type of slidable block for use in the sup ort of a hearing pin, during movements of expansion and retraction.

Figure 7 is a partial vertical section, comparable with a lower central portion of Figure 2, showing alternative features of construction hereinafter described.

Referring to the details of that specific embodiment of my invention illustrated in Figures 1-6 inclusive, -11 and 12 are respectively an upper section and a lower section of the main body of a reaming organization; and said body is adapted to receive and to permit a limited relative longitudinal movement of an inner member or mandrel comprising a shank 13 and a head 11,-the sections 11 and 12 being shown as threaded together at 15 in such manner as to permit the insertion of not only the mentioned head but of reaming and reamer-positioning parts hereinafter described, and the insertion also of a spring 16, shown as confined between an interior shoulder 17, on the upper section 11 and a plate 18, below which packing 19 of any suitable character may be prov vided It should be noted that the shank 13, upwardly terminating in the pin 20, and the head 14 are alike provided with a central longitudinal passage 21 for the downward delivery of a circulating fluid toward a terminal bit 22 (of any usual or preferred type) threaded in a bit-carrying extension 23, into and through which projects a pipe 24:, shown as threaded at 25 into the lower end of the head 14 and as extending through a gland 26; and that the head 14 is provided (as in my prior applications mentioned) with a plurality of downwardly diminishing Wedge or cam faces 27, adapted to effect an expanding or contracting movement of rotatable reaming cutters 28, by means of slidable blocks 29.

Each block 29 is shown pivoted at 30 to a bearing pin'31 upon which a rotatable cutter 28 ismounted; and as provided with a dovetail connection comprising a channel 32 to receive an outwardly expanding and interfitting male element 32', projecting from each cam or wedge face 27.

To prevent a premature movement i'of expansion, and to provide hydraulic means for vinitiating such'expansion, I show a catch 33 as'pivoted at 34 within'a suitable depression 35 in the shank 13 and as provided with an inclined lower surface 36, adapted to engage a correspondingly inclined shoulder 37 at the upper end of the body section 11; and I show the catch 33 as engageable by an interiorly pivoted trigger element 38, comprising a central expansion or plate 39 which, during the lowering of my reamer through a casing, may occupy a substantially horizontal position, thereby obstructing the circulating passage 21, or the equivalent.

The inner end of the trigger 39, or its equivalent, may be pivotally supported in any suitable way, as by means of a pin 40, shown as extending through a threaded plug 41 (which may be nicked at 4.2, in a manner favorable to its insertion or adjustment); but it is not my purpose to emphasize herein the details of construction of my catch and/or my means for catch-releasc,the important point being that, assinning the spring 16, or like means, to be under a suitable compression, and to be held under such compression during the lowering of the described reaming organization, an initiation of downward relative movement in the circulating fluid through the passage 21, after the organization has been brought to a suitable level beneath the lower end of a casing, is reliably effective to release the energy of the spring 16, thereby causing the rotatable cutters 28 to spread, as by an outward rocking of lower pin-supported blocks 43 upon transverse pivot pins 44,an opposite (or relatively upward) movement of the head 14, or its equivalent, being obviously effective, by reason of the mentioned dovetail connection between slidable blocks 29 and the cam surfaces 27, to cause a retraction of rotatable cutters 28 toward their initial positions. 7

Although the specific character of my rotatable cutters and cooperating parts may be regarded as comparatively immaterial to the means and methods by which I effect an expanding or contracting movement thereof, I suggest in Figure 7 alternative details of cutter construction and support. In the figure last referred to, I show a bent or 2-sectional bearing pin 31a, as pivoted to a.

slidable block 29a (shown as engaging an inclined surface 27a upon head 14a by means of a dovetail connection comprising an inwardly projecting male element 32a entering a slot 320,) this pin being provided, near its upper end, with a collar 45a and provlded at its lower end with an extension 46a, which may be held within a lower block 43a (pivo ted at Ma) by means such as a transverse pin 47a.

On an upper section 48a of the pin 31a, I show a plurality of separately rotatable cutting elements 28a, engag ng washers 49a, 50a and 60a,the last mentioned washer being, in turn, engaged by a spacing plate 610.

This spacing plate may be disposed centrally of the pin 31a at a point where its inclina tion changes,this plate being of such shape as to be held against rotation by this engagement with the inclined surface 27 (I and/or between substantially vertical lateral surfaces 62a, which define a slot through which each reaming cutter may be expanded and retracted, by any suitable means.

Below the spacing plate 61w (whose upper and lower surfaces are intended respectively to extend perpendicularly to the axis of rotatable cutters disposed above and below the same) I show a lower section 63a of each bent pin 310, as surrounded by an additional rotatable cutter 64a,-a replaceable sleeve 65a of a suitable hard or special metal being optionally interposed, and washers being optionally inserted, as at (36c and/or (17a.

It will be understood that after lowering a reamcr of the above type into a hole, the initiation of circulation will release the catch 33, permitting spring 16 to expand the cutters; and that reaming cutters of the preferred type illustrated in Figure 7 may be used either with or independently of the above-described means for expanding and for controlling the expansion thereof, a circulating fluid being in either case presumably delivered to a suitable terminal bit through passage 21a and pipe 24a,parts not shown in Figure 7, being presumably of the same general character as corresponding parts illustrated in preceding figures; and I emphasize, among the notable zulvantages of reaming details illustrated in Figure 7. the fact that the respective sections of the cutter and/or the supports therefor may be separately replaced, in case of undue wear or damage, and the fact that the upper cutters 28a may be, in the preferred construction last-described, finally disposed in a substantially vertical position, favorable to the cutting of a substantially uniform and crlindrical hole, having such a finished surface as to permit a free descent of easing therethrough.

Although I have herein described a single complete embodiment of my reaming organization including an hydraulic trigger, suggesting alternative types of reaming cute ters and positioning means therefor, it should be understood not only that various features of my invention might be independently used but also that various additional modifications might be devised, by those skilled in the arts to which this case relates, without involving the slightest departure from,the spirit and scope of my invention, as the same is indicated above and in the following claims,

I claim as my invention:

1. A well reame'r including an expansible cutter, an operating member for the cutter operable to move the cutter outwardly, means normally tending to operate said member, and a fluid pressure actuated releasable control for holding said means against operation.

2. A well reamer including an expansible cutter, an operating member for the cutter operable to move the cutter outwardly, means normally tending to operate said member, a releasable control catch for holding said means against operation and fluid pressure actuated control means for the trigger.

3. A well reamer including an expansible cutter, an operating member for the cutter operable to move the cutter outwardly, spring means normally tending to operate said member, and a releasable control for holding said means against operation anda fluid pressure actuated member for releasing the control.

4. A rotary underreamer including, a main body, an inner member provided with a fluid passage, laterally expansible reaming means including cutters, the inner memher being operable relative to the cutters to expand the cutters, resilient operating means for causing relative movement between the inner member and cutters, control means for releasably holding the operating means against operation, and fluid pressure operated means to release the control means.

5. A rotary underreamer including, a main body, an -inner member provided with a fluid passage, laterally expansible reaming means including cutters, the inner member being operable relative to the cutters to expand the cutters, resilient operating means for the inner member, control means for releasably holding the operating means against operation, and. fluid pressure oper ated means to release said' control means, said operating means including a spring housed in the bodv.

6.'A well reamer including a body, an inner member having a fluid passage, expansible reaming means including cutters operable outwardly bv the inner member, a spring for operating the inner member, a part releasably holding the spring against operation, and fluid pressure means operable to release said part.

7. A well reamer including a rigid cutter carrying pin having cutter carrying sections angularly disposed with reference to each other and having a shouldered head at one end, the head having an opening to receive a pivot pin.

8. A well reamer including, an integral rigid cutter carrying pin having cutter carrying sections angularly related to each other,'-a support for the pin releasably holding the pin for outward movement, and

means for positively moving the pin outwardly.

9. A well reamer including, an integral rigid cutter carrylng pln havmg cutter carrying sectlo-ns angularly related to each other, a support for the pin pivotally engaging one end of the pin, and means for positively moving the other end of the pin.

10. An expansive well reamer, including a body, an inner member provided with a fluid passage, laterally expansible reaming cutters adapted to be expanded by virtue of relative longitudinal movement between the inner member and the cutters, means urging such relative longitudinal movement, and fluid pressure releasable means holding said urging means against. action and operated in release by fluid pressure from said fluid passage.

11. An expansive well reamer, including a body, laterally expansible reaming cutters in the body, means urging the cutters to ex' panded positions, there bein a circulation fluid passage through the b0 y adapted for connection to a hollow drill stem and through which fluid is circulated to the reamer, means for holding the urging means against action, and means operable by virtue of fluid circulation to the reamer to release said holding means.

12. In an expansive reamer, an outer tubular body with slotted walls, longitudinally extending cutters pivotally mounted at one end in the outer body, an inner body part having a cutter expanding wedge, the said body part and cutters being longitudinally movable relatively to each other, a cutter supporting block riding said wedge, the

other end of the cutter being swingingly attached to said wedge, the cutter including a longitudinal cutter pin. and a pin supporting member independent of said block mounted on the pin at a medial point and adapted to engage the wedge in expanded cutter position.

13. An expansive well reamer having a circulation passageand including a body, cutters and a cutter expander, which latter are movable relative to each other for expanding the cutters, means urging such relative movement to expand the cutters, a movable catch for restraining such urged movement and for holding the expander relatively in non-cutter-expanding position. and a movable trigger for holding the catch in its restraining position, said trigger actuatable to release the catch by virtue of circulation flow and impingement against the trigger.

14. An expansive well reamer having a circulation passage and including a. body.

cutters in the body and a cutter expander.

and expander relatively in non-expanding being relatively longitudinally movable, cut-- ters expanded by such relative longitudinal movement, a movable catch adapted to bear against the body and member and restrain them against such relative longitudinalmovement and with' one end laterally displaceable to release the body and member,

and a trigger for retaining the catch in its restraining position disposed within said passage and movable by pressure of fluid therein acting on said trigger to release the catch.

16. An expansive well reamer, including a body, a cutter expanding member having a circulation passage, the body and member being relatively longitudinally movable, cutters expanded by such relative longitudinal movement, a movable catch adapted to bear against the body and member and restrain them against such relative longitudinal movement and with one end laterally displaceable to release the body and member, and a trigger for retaining the catch in its restraining position pivotally supported within said member and disposed across its circulation passage to be moved by fluid pressure therein acting directly on the trigger to release the catch.

17; A tool of the character described comprising a body and a relatively longitudinally urgable member movable therein having a passage extending therethrough for fluid; a strut catch mounted on said member to engage a surface on said body and restrain said member against relative movement in the urged direction and to be moved to clear said body and release said member therefrom; a trigger for retaining said catch in restraining position, said trigger being operable by pressure of fluid in said passage directly thereon to release said catch.

18. A tool of the character described comprising a body and a relatively longitudinally urgable member movable therein having a passage extending therethrough for fluid; a strut catch mounted on said member to engage a surface on said body and restrain said member against relative movement in the urged direction and to be moved to clear said body and release said member therefrom; a trigger for retaining said catch in restraining position disposed within said passage and movable by pressure of fluid therein acting directly on said trigger to release the catch.

19. A tool of the character described comprising a body and a relatively longitudinally urgable member movable therein having a passage extending therethrough for fluid; a strut catch mounted on said member to engage a surface on said body and restrain said member against relative movement in the urged direction and to be moved to clear said body and release said member therefrom; a trigger for retaining said catch in restraining position pivotally supported on said member and disposed across said passage to be moved by pressure of fluid therein acting directly on said trigger to release said catch.

20. A tool of thd character described comprising a body and a member longitudinally urgable with respect to each other, the member having a passage for fluid extending thereinto and a slot leading from the passage through the member wall, a catch mounted to restrain said member against relative movement in the urged direction; a trigger pivotally mounted in said member to be swung across the bore thereof and having a finger for projection through said member slot whereby fluid pressure in said passage will tend to swin said trigger toward a direction longitudinal of said passage, said finger being arranged so that when disposed transverse of said bore it engages and retains said catch in restraining position and when longitudinal of said bore it releases said catch.

21. An expansive well reamer having a circulation passage and including a body, cutters and a cutter expander, which latter are movable relative to each other for expanding the cutters, means urging such relative movement to expand the cutters, and a fluid pressure actuated releasable control for holding said urging means against operation.

22. An expansive well reamer having a circiilation passage and including a body, cutters in the body and a cutter ex ander, the expander and body bein re atively movable for expanding the fiody-carried cutters, means urging such relative move ment to expand the cutters, and a fluid pressure actuated releasable control acting between the body. and expander and holding said urging means against operation.

23. An expansive well reamer having a circulation passage and including a body, cutters in the body and a cutter expander, the ex ander and body being relatively movable or expanding the body-carried cutters, means urging such relative movement to expand the cutters, a catch mounted on the expander and bearing on the body on a surface diagonal to the line of relative movement between body and expander so that the movement urging means tends to move the catch out of engagement with the body, and a hydraulically operated trigger v acting to hold and release the catch.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand at Los Angeles, California, this 5th day of October, 1926.

JAMES B. TRIPLETT. 

